Have you ever wondered if you are paying too much for electric in your home? Electricity bills are often less than gas which makes it harder to determine when you are spending more than you should. We have had a look at the average electricity bill in Northern Ireland, how does your home measure up?
The average annual household electricity bill
According to the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy, between October 2018 and September 2019 the approximate volume of electricity consumption was 7,737 Gigawatt hours (GWh). In 2019, the average annual electricity bill cost around £590 (Consumer Council, 2019), in comparison to 2013 when it cost £648 - this could be caused by many household items becoming more energy efficient.
What affects the average electricity bill?
The size of your home plays a massive role in the price of your bill. For example, if you live in a flat it is going to be a lot cheaper to run than a 5-bedroom house as there are less rooms with lights, plugs and any electrical appliances. The age of your home is a key factor too as it takes more energy to try and perform compared to modern houses.
How can I use less electricity?
If you’re wondering why your bill is higher than the average household, there are several factors that can be contributing to this cost that can be easily solved.
Leaving charging devices switched on
Mobiles and other devices do not need charged 24/7. When you are not using your chargers, it’s best to unplug them as they will still source electricity. Unnecessary charging will not only increase your bill, but it can damage the gadgets battery life too.
Leaving appliances on whether you’re using them or not
This is a massive factor in why your usage may be so high. Most appliances stay in standby mode waiting for a command, therefore, to save electricity just turn them off at the plug. Any appliances with a clock need power to keep the time displaying, like your microwave and oven so it may be useful to do the same for these. Some appliances can use up much more energy than you think, take a look at our article on the most surprising energy wasting items in your house.
Using old appliances
If you’re using old appliances it may be time for an upgrade as older models need more energy to carry out their functions. It could even be worth investing in a new washing machine or dishwasher rather than being hit with an increased electricity bill every month.
Not filling your appliances to their full capacity
Sometimes we can be guilty of washing one or two items of clothing because we need them urgently. However, filling your appliances like the dishwasher, tumble dryer and washing machine to their full capacity can make such a difference as it will reduce the amount of cycles you do.
If you’re trying to cut down your electricity bill, then try these tips out for yourself and see if you save money on your future bills.
You can switch and save up to £50 with Electric Ireland today.